CLOUD TRACKING CFERaTIONS FOR BRAVO
& vareh 1954
- 2.
SUMMARY:
The BRAVO Air Rad Sefe Operations were conducted
essentially as planned.
No hazardous air coataminations were ene
countered by aircraft other than the samplers.
Several eircraft
and crews were exposed but the levels encountered appear acceste
able from both a health end a decontarinetion aspect. Com=unicae
tion and control difficulties made it difficult if not impossible
to forecast the fallout in the Rongerik/Rongelap ereas.
Steps
have been taken to remedy the defects whick became arparent during
oe Ae ee
BRAVO operations.
2.
GENERAL:
.
Cloud tracking information for BRAVO was derived from
five sources. The manner in which each of these functioned curing
BRAVO will be discussed individually in subsequent paragraphs.
These sources were as follows;
Sampling aircraft reports.
~~
Sweet-sour reports.
Speciel Cloud tracking flights.
Weatner reconnaissence flights.
aFOaT-1 flights.
3.
SAMPLING ATRCRAFT REPORTS:
These reports were monitored and recorded by Rac Safe
personnel eboard BOUNDARY TARE from plus two thru plus seven
pours. Information derived from these reports indicated the
sazpling aircraft were working the South and Southeest edge
of the cloud and therefore stayed in the immdiate vicinity of
Ground Zero. Because of the altitude of the sampling operatioas
(30,000 - 45,000 ft) there is little relation between the Cpera~
these aircraft and subsequent air or ground contecination.
tion of
This astaz nowever, does assist toe Sir Rad Safe Officer £n obdtaining agoverall picture of the dispersal of radioactive caterial.
No reports#of cloud uovemens/ were received from the control 3-36
o~
Le
J
0
aircraft.
7
SuEET@-SOUR_REPORTS:
™hese reports are subzitted by any aircrast encounte 222g
radioactive contamination and =ot reporting by otner reecs.
.
such reports were
received during Brav0~5
20
Tris ds not eurPprisiag
{reporting oy
since aircraft other than the sa=p lers and trackers
n is suse
inet.o
contaz
woiecd
in
otaer means) seak to avoid arees
pected.
aaa